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Transcript
Copyright @ 2009 by Western National Parks Association
Published by Western National Parks Association
The Battle of Glorieta Civil War Battlefield Trail Guide was
financed, in part, by the National Park Service’s Connect
Trails to Parks program, part of the National Park Service Centennial, 1916-2016.
The net proceeds from WNPA publications support educational and research programs in the
national parks. Receive a free Western National Parks Association catalog, featuring hundreds of
publications: Email: [email protected] or visit www.wnpa.org
Civil War Battle
of Glorieta Pass
trail guide
Written by Bob Mallin with major contributions by Don Alberts and John Taylor
Edited by Dan Stebbins
Designed by MW Velgos Design
Photography: Front cover: Mountain Howitzer fired at living history event/National Park Service
photo; back cover: Efraín M. Padró, saber photographed courtesy of the National Park Service
Museum at Pecos National Historical Park; Introduction: Andréa Brooks/WNPA; Marker #1:
illustration of Edward Canby from a Civil War-era Harper’s magazine, photo of Henry Sibley/
Library of Congress; Marker #2: photo of riflemen at El Rancho de las Golondrinas Living History
Museum, Santa Fe, New Mex./ Shirley Barnes, photo of John Shropshire courtesy of the Nesbitt
Memorial Library, Columbus, Texas; Marker #3: Rob Shenk/ Civil War Preservation Trust; Marker
#4: Efraín M. Padró; Marker #5: Ben Wittick, courtesy Palace of the Governors Photo Archives
(NMHM/DCA), negative #15783; Marker #7 Courtesy of the National Park Service; Marker #8:
George H.H. Huey, cannon ball photographed courtesy of the National Park Service museum
at Pecos National Historical Park, historic photo, right, Ben Wittick, courtesy Palace of the
Governors Photo Archives (NMHM/DCA), negative #42922; Markers #9-10: Efraín M. Padró;
Marker #11: Bottom, Efraín M. Padró, (upper right) photo courtesy of the Colorado Historical
Society scan #10025590; Marker #12: Pigeon’s Hospital by T. Harmon Parkhurst, courtesy
Palace of the Governors Photo Archives (NMHM/DCA),
negative #9690; (lower left) Courtesy of the Colorado
Historical Society, scan #10028910, (lower right)
Courtesy of the Colorado Historical Society, scan
# 10028910; Marker #13: (left) Scott Aldridge/
WNPA, (center) Efraín M. Padró, (right) photo
courtesy of the National Park Service;
Marker #14: Efraín M. Padró
The saber used by Union
Painting: The Battle of
Glorieta Pass by Roy
Andersen,
courtesy of the
National Park
Service.
Army Corporal John E.
Briney during the Battle of
Glorieta is in the museum
collection at Pecos
National Historical Park.
Maps: Inside front cover by
Deborah Reade; Marker #1: map
courtesy of Northeast New Mexico
Region Tourism Board
Printed by the
Government Printing Office
Printed in the United States
Pecos National Histor ical Park
The Confederates attack Union forces at Pigeon’s Ranch
on Friday, March 28, 1862 as depicted in a Roy Andersen painting.
CIVIL WAR BATTLE OF GLORIETA
March 26-28, 1862
Confederate westward plans foiled
T
he Battle of Glorieta is referred to as “The Gettysburg of the West.” It was here in the spring of 1862,
vital Confederate supplies
that led to the ultimate
Union victory.
For the purposes of this
trail guide, the fighting
along the Santa Fe Trail in New Mexico Territory, that
highlighted on this third
Union troops thwarted an ambitious Confederate military
and final day of the Battle
campaign, designed to expand the Confederacy westward.
of Glorieta is broken into
The Confederates hoped to take control of the mining
three sections or phases:
riches of Colorado and press on to capture key ports in the
Initial, Main and Final. As you travel along the trail, keep in
California Territory.
mind that in 1862 this area was not nearly as vegetated as
Much as the Confederates were never again to invade
the north after losing the Battle of Gettysburg, the Southern Rebels never again attempted a significant action in the
.58 caliber Minie
balls were fired
by both Union
and Confederate
riflemen during
the Civil War.
it is today; there were fewer trees and shrubs because they
were used for fuel, building, and other purposes.
With approximately 1,200 soldiers on each side, the
far West after the Battle of Glorieta. The battle was fought
casualties were high—Union forces suffered 51 killed, 78
over three days between March 26 and March 28, 1862.
wounded, and 15 captured. Among the Confederates, 48
Major fighting on the final day was preceded by a lesser
were killed, 80 wounded, and 92 captured. The Battle of
and indecisive encounter on March 26th. As you follow the
Glorieta came more than a year before Gettysburg, and
trail markers, use this guide to learn about the events on
though not anywhere near the magnitude of Gettysburg in
the third and final day of the battle. Relive the advances
terms of men engaged in the fight or resultant casualties,
and retreats, read of the tactics that failed, and marvel at
it convincingly demonstrated that the violence of Civil
the daring Union march across Glorieta Mesa to destroy the
War battles was not confined to the battlefields of the East.
MARKER 1
Battle Background - Texans Move Up the Rio Grande, Colorado Volunteers Move South
Forces met at Valverde in February 1862, at Glorieta in March
I
n the last half of
was severely restricted
remaining supplies in the
1861, Confederate Briga-
by the Union blockade of
later Battle of Glorieta
dier General Henry Hopkins
the Confederacy’s Atlantic
would be instrumental in
Sibley, a West Point gradu-
ports.
Sibley’s decision to retreat
ate and former major in
Col. Edward R. S. Canby,
to Texas.
the U.S. Army, raised a
also a West Point graduate
Flushed with the vic-
force of Texas volunteers to
and Union commander of
invade New Mexico Terri-
the Department of New
tory. His objectives were to
Mexico, learned of the
capture military supplies
invasion plans and con-
Canby’s and Sibley’s
then, on March 10, Con-
from Union forts in New
vinced the governors of
forces first clashed on Feb.
federates took Santa Fe.
Mexico and to recruit New
New Mexico and Colorado
21st, 1862, near Fort Craig,
A little over a week later,
Mexicans, Utah Mormons,
to organize companies
100 miles south of Albu-
Rebel forces began moving
and Colorado miners to
of volunteers to augment
querque. In what is known
eastward along the Santa
the Confederate cause.
his 2,500 Federal troops.
as the Battle of Valverde,
Fe Trail with the objective
The mineral wealth of
By early 1862, Canby had
Confederates triumphed,
of capturing Fort Union,
the West, it was thought,
a combined 4,000 troops
forcing Canby’s forces to
northeast of Pecos. On
would enrich the Confed-
available at Fort Union and
withdraw to the safety of
March 25th, 1862 Confeder-
eracy. And, if the California
Fort Craig to confront the
the fort. But, in the course
ate and Union forces were,
ports of San Diego and Los
invading, 3,000-man strong
of the battle, half of the
unbeknown to each other,
Angeles could be taken, the
Rebel force, which was
Confederate supplies were
camped on opposite sides
South would have access to
moving up the Rio Grande
destroyed—a crucial event
of Glorieta Pass, where the
international trade, which
attacking Union forts.
since the loss of their
Santa Fe Trail narrows as it
tory at Valverde, Sibley
Col. Edward R. S. Canby
moved northward, first
occupying Albuquerque,
Confederate and Union
forces were spotted by
pickets from both sides on
Wednesday, March 26th,
artillery duels were fought
the next day, and the main
troop encounters occurred
on Friday, March 28th.
Gen. Henry Hopkins Sibley
a series of tactical withdrawals, the Union forces
winds through a low point
forced the Texans to quit
in the Sangre de Cristo
the Pigeon’s Ranch battle-
Mountains. Troops were
field they had won and
sent ahead by both sides to
return to Santa Fe to resup-
detect enemy forces. These
ply, thanks to a bold march
“pickets” would soon dis-
over Glorieta Mesa led
cover the other’s forces.
by Maj. John Chivington.
Over the next three
Chivington’s men surprised
days, Union and Confeder-
the Confederate rear guard
ate troops were engaged in
and destroyed their food
artillery duels, sharpshoot-
and ammunition supplies
ing, and fighting at close
at Johnson’s Ranch.
range that comprised the
Battle of Glorieta. Though
Sibley’s Confederate forces
pressed Canby’s troops into
The map, opposite, shows the path
of Union and Confederate forces
in late 1861 and early 1862 leading
up to the Battle of Glorieta and the
Confederate retreat that followed.
MARKER 2
The Battle at Pigeon’s Ranch – Overview of the Third Day of the Battle of Glorieta
Friday, March 28th
O
n the morning of
a hostelry cater-
outflank the Union line
March 28th, the third
ing to commercial
(to the south, just across
and final day of the Battle
travelers in the
Interstate 25). In response,
of Glorieta, both sides
1860s. The ranch’s
Col. Slough withdrew to a
moved toward each other.
surviving build-
second defensive position,
With about 900 men, Con-
ing is over the hill
federate Lt. Col. William
to your forward
Scurry left Johnson’s Ranch
right. Early on
and travelled east along
March 28th, 1862, Union
lasted only a few minutes.
the Santa Fe Trail. Slough’s
and Confederate pickets
The Union forces fell
Union forces left Camp
encountered each other.
back to a stronger position
right and left of the Union
Lewis near ­Kowslowski’s
Scurry and his Conferder-
to the north and west of
line along the ridge north
Stage Stop and proceeded
ate soldiers dismounted
Windmill Hill after a failed
of the ranch and around
west along the same trail.
and joined the Fourth
flanking maneuver. The
Artillery Hill.
The two forces met where
Texas foot-soldiers, advanc-
Confederates established a
you are today.
ing eastward along the
similar line, strengthened
fighting allowed Lt. Col.
You are standing on
Union riflemen at El Rancho de las Golondrinas,
A Living History Museum in Santa Fe, New Mex.
just west of Pigeon’s Ranch,
strengthened by four pieces
of heavier artillery. His
infantry and dismounted
cavalrymen formed the
A brief pause in the
trail. Colonel John P. Slough,
by three artillery pieces. The
Scurry to reorganize his
Artillery Hill. Today, the
leader of the First Regiment
Union countered with four
Confederate forces and
old Santa Fe Trail in this
of Colorado volunteers,
mountain howitzers (See
plan an assault on this
vicinity is covered by
brought up the union’s
Markers 7 and 8). This phase
new Federal line. At about
New Mexico Highway 50.
artillery and formed a bat-
of battle lasted three hours.
2 p.m., the battle was
The highway passes the
tle line across the trail. This
remains of Pigeon’s Ranch,
first contact of the battle
The Confederate
vanguard was able to
renewed. On the Confederate right, Maj. John
MARKER 3
Initial Phase of the Battle
Morning, March 28th
T
he Santa Fe Trail
was just across and
slightly below the present NM-50 alignment. On
Maj. John Shropshire
March 28th, 1862, at about
11 a.m., the Confeder-
Shropshire marched his
ate column formed a line
men around the Union
of battle that included
at the site of this marker.
line. Shropshire then led
three cannons. They were
Claflin was soon supported
a charge on the wooded
opposed by the Union
by Colorado volunteers and
areas to your right, and
forces, consisting of com-
U.S. regulars. Both sides
was killed. The Confeder-
panies of the First Colorado
maintained a furious fire of
to assault the enemy at
ates outflanked the Union
and Third U. S. Cavalry and
artillery and small arms for
Pigeon’s Ranch.
forces north of Pigeon’s
four, 12-pound mountain
almost three hours.
Ranch, and the Federal
howitzers. Led by Capt.
commander ordered his
John Ritter, they engaged
erate vanguard, Col. Slough
Union Maj. John Chiving-
men to fall back to a third
the Rebels. But the Confed-
ordered a withdrawal of
ton led a band of Federal
defensive line a mile east of
erates pushed the Federals
the Federals eastward to a
troops across Glorieta Mesa
Pigeon’s Ranch, ending the
back to the near side of the
stronger position just west
on a daring raid on the
main phase of the Battle
gully you see before you.
of Pigeon’s Ranch. Subse-
Confederate supply train at
of Glorieta at about 4:30
In the Union center,
Outflanked by a Confed-
Union troops came down from atop
Glorieta Mesa to destroy Confederate
supplies at Johnson’s Ranch.
Meanwhile, with the
Union forces pushed back,
quently, Confederate forces
Johnson’s Ranch. That raid
p.m.(See more information
Lt. Ira Claflin’s howitzers
occupied the former Union
wrested victory from the
on Marker 12)
were fired from a position
positions and prepared
advancing Confederates.
MARKER 4
MARKER 5
Attack Near Pigeon’s Ranch – Main Phase
The Confederate Battle Line – Main Phase
Late afternoon, March 28th
Mid afternoon, March 28th
H
ere you see the
low adobe corral wall ran
Glorieta battlefield as
southward from the base of
Y
ou are now
near the position
Lt. Col. Scurry saw it dur-
Sharpshooter’s Ridge. Artil-
ing late afternoon of March
lery Hill to your right had
during the main phase
28th, 1862. On the left is
a three-howitzer battery
of fighting. The ditch
the Santa Fe Trail, (today’s
near its crest and Colorado
you see before you was
NM-50). Beyond it a large
volunteers around its base.
used as a shelter by
rock formation marks the
From this area, Lt. Col.
Maj. Shropshire’s men.
northern end of the Union
Scurry sent Maj. Shropshire
Federal forces had estab-
line. Some 300 yards in front
to attack the Union left
lished a strong second
of you is Pigeon’s Ranch.
around Artillery Hill. Majors
defensive line around
Sharpshooters Ridge is
Charles Pyron and Henry
Pigeon’s Ranch, which
immediately north of the
Raguet were dispatched to
Lt. Col. Scurry planned
Pigeon’s Ranch building
assault the enemy north of
to attack. Fourth Texas
that still stands today. A
the Santa Fe Trail.
Sgt. Alfred B. Peticolas
The only remaining original building at Pigeon’s Ranch
of the Confederate line
Pigeon’s Ranch was a popular stopping
point along the Santa Fe Trail both before
and after the Civil War. This photo was
taken in June 1880.
lay in this muddy ditch
about where I-25 covers it
on…” Peticolas and his
today. Peticolas later wrote,
Fourth Texas comrades on
“We laid in the gully on the
the Confederate right flank
right (for) half an hour and
charged the Federals here
then were ordered further
on Artillery Hill.
MARKER 6
MARKER 7
Fierce Fighting in the Center – Main Phase
Strong Union Defense – Main Phase
Late morning and afternoon, March 28th
Late afternoon, March 28
T
H
his is the center
Texans were successful,
of the battlefield
driving the Federals from
ere at the base
and lower slopes of
which included several
Sharpshooter’s Ridge,
arroyos, or gullies. Down
and forcing a retreat from
stationed Companies D
this sloping, cultivated
Pigeon’s Ranch. Confeder-
and K of the First Colorado
field, Lt. Col. Scurry led his
ate Maj. Raguet was killed
Volunteers during the
center assault column of
in this fighting. About
main phase of the battle.
approximately 500 Texans.
4:30 p.m., Lt. Col. Scurry
From behind the rock for-
However, the Union center
mounted a successful
mations and trees, these
at Pigeon’s Ranch was too
third charge against a rear
Union infantrymen played
strong. Capt. John Ritter’s
guard of Federals, which
a key role in stopping the
four 12-pounders and
was protecting the Union
two fierce Confederate
field howitzers, joined by
withdrawal. Scurry then
attacks against the center
Claflin’s three mountain
came upon the third Union
of the Federal line. Com-
howitzers, blew the Con-
defensive line a mile east
pany D took especially
federate charge to a bloody
of Pigeon’s Ranch along the
heavy casualties in repuls-
halt. Scurry retreated, but
Santa Fe Trail.
ing the strong Texan
later returned for a second unsuccessful frontal
attack. North of the Santa
Fe Trail, however, the
Artillery Hill, Col. Slough
assaults.
A howitzer of the type used by Union
forces in the Battle of Glorieta.
MARKER 8
The Mountain Howitzer Battery – Main Phase
Afternoon, March 28th
A
fter withdrawing
force approaching from the
from his position at
south. He feared the Tex-
Windmill Hill, Lt. Claflin
ans would overrun the road
took his battery to the new
to his rear, so he retreated
Federal line on Artillery
to a position in the valley
Hill, locating it on a nar-
behind the low adobe cor-
row logging road that ran
ral wall and south of the
to the top of the hill and
Santa Fe Trail. There he
curved back to this point.
helped to repulse the two
Claflin readied his three
initial Confederate charges
12-pounder mountain how-
at the Union Center. Major
itzers, while his supporting
Shropshire was killed near
Colorado infantry pro-
this spot. (See Marker 2)
tected him from the lower
positions on Artillery Hill.
Soon, he saw a Confederate
A cannonball found on the
Glorieta battlefield is on
display in the Pecos National
Historical Park Visitor Center.
Eighteen years after the battle, George Hibbard and two other
unidentified men with rifles stand near where Maj. John Shropshire, the
commanding officer of Company A, 5th Texas Mounted Volunteers of
the Confederate Army was shot between the eyes by a Union soldier.
MARKER 9
MARKER 10
Sgt. Peticolas’s Adventure – Main Phase
Artillery Hill Abandoned – Main Phase
Afternoon, March 28
Late afternoon, March 28th
H
ere Sgt. Alfred B.
he looked like a solitary
Peticolas became
Union soldier. A Federal
separated from the Texans
officer, Lt. Col. Samuel Tap-
sent to attack the south-
A
fter encountering
ates, now on the crest of
Sergeant Peticolas,
Artillery Hill, fired at the
Federal Lt. Col. Tappan
Colorado volunteers, who
pan, thinking Peticolas one
led his men along the log-
were withdrawing rapidly
ern flank of Artillery Hill.
of his own troops, allowed
ging road, earlier used by
down the narrow road
He accidentally walked
the young Texas sergeant
Claflin’s artillery battery,
toward its junction with
through a gap in the Fed-
to continue his walk along
to abandon Artillery Hill
the Santa Fe Trail, east of
eral line, created when
the top of Artillery Hill and
and avoid capture. You are
Pigeon’s Ranch. One group
Claflin’s battery moved. He
back safely into the Confed-
standing on the trace of
of retreating Federals
was described as having
erate ranks at the base of
that logging road at a point
stopped here to return the
walked “leisurely along the
the hill.
where scattered Confeder-
Texans’ fire.
hill towards where their
line was, firing at every
opportunity down at the
enemy.” You are following his path, and Pigeon’s
Ranch is below. Peticolas
soon walked into a line of
Union soldiers on the crest
of Artillery Hill. Wearing a
captured Federal overcoat,
A living history
event in Socorro,
New Mex., south
of Albuquerque,
brings to life
the Civil War
engagements
along the Rio
Grande in early
1862, which were
preludes to the
decisive Battle of
Glorieta.
MARKER 11
Chivington’s Surprise Attack at Johnson’s Ranch – Main Phase
Morning and afternoon, March 28th
T
he decisive tactical
the western rim of Glorieta
destroyed, and most of the
maneuver of the Battle
Mesa (seen to your right)
mules and horses were
of Glorieta was led by Maj.
by 2 p.m. Below them, the
stampeded up a narrow
Chivington (see Marker
Texan camp at Johnson’s
canyon. Only a few Confed-
#3). Five hundred Union
Ranch (present day Cañ-
erate guards and teamsters
soldiers, under Chivington,
oncito) lay vulnerable.
managed to escape toward
priest and Union chaplain
separated from Slough’s
Chivington sent his men
Santa Fe. Stripped of
Alexander Grzelachowski.
main force early in the
down a steep bank from
their vital supplies, the
That afternoon and eve-
morning of March 28, before
the mesa top to burn the
Confederates decided to
ning, soldiers on both sides
the fighting began around
Confederate supply wagons
withdraw to Santa Fe to
suffered additional hard-
Pigeon’s Ranch. Chiving-
and run off the Confeder-
regroup and resupply. With
ship when a late-winter
ton and his men climbed
ate mules and horses they
the wagons burning and
snowstorm dropped nearly
atop Glorieta Mesa, south
discovered corralled at the
exploding, the Union sol-
a foot of snow in the area
of the Santa Fe Trail, and
site. Eighty Confederate
diers retraced their route
of the pass. Late that night,
marched across the mesa to
wagons and the sup-
over the mesa, this time
Chivington and his weary
a point at the unprotected
plies they contained were
guided by former Polish
troops finally returned to
Maj. John Chivington
Confederate rear where
Camp Lewis at Kozlowski’s
the Rebels stockpiled their
Stage Stop. Confederate
food, ammunition and
other vital supplies. Guided
by Lt. Col. Manuel Chaves of
the New Mexico Volunteers,
the Union soldiers reached
The main building
at Kozlowski’s
Stage Stop where
Union forces were
camped when
Chivington and his
men returned from
their daring raid
forces remained at Pigeon’s
Ranch. Thus ended the
most successful Union
action in the Battle of
­Glorieta.
MARKER 12
Saving Lives at the Union Field Hospital – Final Phase
Late afternoon, March 28th
A
fter withdrawing to a
truce was declared to
was primitive by
spot about a mile east
allow both sides to tend to
today’s standards,
of Pigeon’s Ranch, Slough
their wounded and bury
but equal to the
formed a new defensive
their dead. The Federal
best in the world
line across the Santa Fe
force returned to camp at
of the time. Sur-
Trail, and covered the with-
Kozlowski’s Stage Stop.
gery often ended
drawal of his supply train
Directly ahead of you
The Confederate field hospital that handled
casualties after the fighting at Pigeon’s Ranch as
photographed circa 1935.
in infection and
and ambulance wagons. At
was the Union field hospi-
death. Amputations were
in the fighting at Glorieta,
about the same time, the
tal, under the leadership
routine for arm and leg
were evacuated by horse
Texans got the devastating
of Colorado surgeons John
wounds. Alcohol was relied
and cart to Fort Union, and
news that their supplies
Hamilton and Lewis Tolles.
upon as a painkiller. Union
Confederate casualties were
had been destroyed. A
Civil War-era medicine
soldiers, badly wounded
taken to Santa Fe.
Two surgeons from
Colorado were
in charge of the
Union Army field
hospital during the
Battle of Glorieta,
Drs. John Hamilton
and Lewis Tolles.
Hamilton is shown
in the front row,
second from the
left in the photo
on the far left.
The remaining
officers pictured
were also members
of the Colorado
volunteers.
MARKER 13
Aftermath of the Battle
March 29th-April 15th, 1862
B
oth sides initially
commander had kept his
felt they had won
force largely intact. The
Battle of Glorieta, having
action with Federal troops
the Battle of Glorieta. In
fighting around Pigeon’s
received intelligence that
at the village of Peralta,
the face-to-face combat,
Ranch was a Confederate
Canby was moving north
south of Albuquerque, on
Scurry’s Confederates
victory, or at least a draw.
from Fort Craig with a large
April 15th, 1862, but the
consistently kept Slough’s
But Chivington’s destruction
force, the Confederates
Confederates would never
Federals on the defensive,
of the Confederate supplies
left Santa Fe and began
again threaten an expan-
pushing them back repeat-
at Johnson’s Ranch was
a lengthy retreat back to
sion in the West.
edly. However, the Federal
decisive for the ­Federals.
Texas. The Confederates
“Colorado Volunteers at the Battles
of Glorieta, March 26-28, 1862...
Erected by the people of Colorado
in memory of the brave men who
fought here.”
Ten days after the
fought one more small
“In loyal memory of the Texas Mounted Volunteers,
Sibley’s Brigade, CSA, who died in service at
Glorieta Pass, March 28, 1862.”
Monuments
to Colorado
volunteers,
left, and Texas
volunteers,
center, at
Pecos National
Historical
Park, and a
gravestone
for Union
soldiers killed
at Glorieta at
the National
Cemetery in
Santa Fe
MARKER 14
The Battle Remembered
1862 through the present day
I
n 1868, the people of
in private hands. During
here. The remains were
New Mexico erected a
the 1980s, however, the
reinterred in the Santa
monument on the Santa
Glorieta Battlefield Preser-
Fe National Cemetery. In
Fe Plaza honoring those
vation Society Inc., assisted
1990, President George H.
who fell at the Battle of
by regional Civil War re-
W. Bush signed an act that
Glorieta Pass. Its inscrip-
enactors, The Council of
formed the Glorieta Unit of
tion includes the hopeful
America’s Military Past,
Pecos National Historical
words: “May the Union be
and The Conservation
Park, thus preserving this
Perpetual.” In later years,
Fund, worked to preserve
site.
the Texas Division of The
the Glorieta Battlefield.
United Daughters of the
They stabilized the fragile
Confederacy (1939) and
Pigeon’s Ranch building,
Colorado’s State Histori-
staged annual reenact-
cal Society (1993) erected
ments, and hosted tours.
monuments on the battle-
They also assisted State of
field itself memorializing
New Mexico archeologists
those who fought and
during the 1987 discovery
died here. Until recently,
of the mass grave of 31
the battlefield was largely
Confederate soldiers near
An obelisk in Santa Fe Plaza
honors those killed in New Mexico
during the Civil War and also in
the Indian Wars which followed. A
granite template at the foot of the
monument reads, “To the heros of
the Federal Army who fell at the
battles of Cañon del Apache and
Pigeon’s Rancho (La Glorieta), fought
with the Rebels March 28, 1862, and
to those who fell at the battle fought
with the Rebels at Peralta April 15,
1862.” An estimated 100 men were
killed in the three days of fighting at
Glorieta.